About: Energy - 'ownership unbundling'
The evolving role of gas storage in Europe
Departing from its usual supply security role, gas storage is vying for a central position in Europe’s vision of a hybrid energy system combining renewable electricity and low-carbon gases like hydrogen. But getting there won’t be a smooth run and regulators are watching closely.
Grid neutrality is a prerequisite for energy storage to flourish
Without energy storage, the EU target for renewable energy cannot be reached. And that can only succeed if the incentives for investment are set correctly and if “ownership unbundling” rules in the EU energy market are strictly enforced, writes Dr. Hans Wolf von Koeller.
E.ON completes split of fossil fuel and renewable operations
German energy giant E.ON has officially separated its fossil fuel assets into a new company, dubbed Uniper.
Hungary defies EU over energy distribution rules
Hungary expects “a big debate” with the European Union over its plans to transform energy distribution in the household sector into a "non-profit activity", the country’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said today (22 August). In Brussels, the European Commission declined to comment, saying it learnt of the plans from the press.
Brussels weighs legal action on internal energy market
EU Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger yesterday (28 February) gave governments more breathing space to pass energy liberalisation directives into national law as a 3 March deadline approaches. A month ago, not a single country had yet done so.
EU tackles 25 states over energy liberalisation
The European Commission accused 25 of the bloc's 27 countries yesterday (25 June) of breaching rules to boost competition in energy markets, taking the first step towards possible court action.
EU nears energy liberalisation finishing line
The European Parliament yesterday (22 April) endorsed an agreement struck by the EU institutions to curtail the power of energy giants and move closer to a truly internal gas and electricity market. However, critics said the measures did not go far enough in breaking up energy monopolies.
MEPs threaten to walk out of EU energy market talks
MEPs are considering walking out of negotiations on opening the EU's gas and electricity markets as talks between the European Parliament, the EU executive and the Czech EU Presidency appear to be deadlocked.
Commission closes antitrust case against E.ON
The European Commission closed an antitrust case against E.ON AG Wednesday (26 November) by formally accepting the German energy giant's commitment to selling a fifth of its power generation capacity along with its extra-high voltage distribution network.
EU consumers lament blocked energy markets
A new survey has found that energy consumers are "still in the dark and cold" despite the European Commission's energy market liberalisation agenda, which was supposed to drive down costs and provide more choice for citizens.
Energy ministers clinch deal on liberalisation
European energy ministers managed to overcome a month-long deadlock over the opening of EU gas and electricity markets on Friday (10 October).
IEA urges EU to fully liberalise energy markets
The Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA) has published its first review of EU energy policy, endorsing controversial Commission plans to break up European energy giants and calling for greater cross-border trade in renewable energy among other recommendations.
Vattenfall power grid sale buoys EU
A decision by Vattenfall, Germany’s fourth electricity supplier, to sell off its high-voltage grid was welcomed in Brussels where the European Commission has been leading calls for companies to surrender their transmission assets as a way to bring more competition to the market.Discussing the impact assessment of the ‘third energy liberalisation package’
Questions are being raised about the quality and effectiveness of evaluating the costs, risks and benefits of the Commission's impact assessment on the third energy liberalisation package, says Jacopo Torriti in a May 2008 report for the European University Institute.
Parliament insists on splitting energy giants
MEPs have rejected a deal between the Commission and member states whereby large electricity producers could retain ownership over power distribution assets under strict conditions. Parliament is pushing for full ownership separation as the 'only option' for EU electricity market liberalisation.
Paris and Berlin win EU energy liberalisation deal
EU energy ministers bowed to pressure from France and Germany at a meeting on Friday, agreeing on a "general approach" to opening gas and electricity markets that prevents integrated firms such as EDF and E.ON from selling off their transmission grids.
‘Poweo’ CEO: ‘France will eventually back down on unbundling’
Despite its current opposition to the idea, the French government will eventually support 'ownership unbundling' in a "diplomatic manoeuvre" designed to protect price regulation, argues Charles Beigbéder, the CEO of Poweo, a firm competing on the French energy market, in an interview with EURACTIV France.
Interview: ‘France will eventually back down on unbundling’
Despite its current opposition to the idea, the French government will eventually support 'ownership unbundling' in a "diplomatic manoeuvre" designed to protect price regulation, Charles Beigbéder, the CEO of Poweo, told EURACTIV France in an interview.
EU enters crunch talks on energy liberalisation
Energy ministers from the 27 member states are meeting today (6 June) in an attempt to reach a compromise over plans to force more competition onto EU energy markets - otherwise they risk delaying any decision until 2010.
Brussels encouraged by RWE grid sale
German utility firm RWE AG has announced it will sell off its gas grid within two years to avoid further anti-trust actions by Brussels over suspected abuse of market dominance. The move comes one week before a key ministerial meeting on energy liberalisation.
Gaz de France targeted in EU antitrust probe
EU regulators launched a formal investigation against GDF on Thursday (22 May) just as Brussels and Paris are engaged in intense negotiations over the liberalisation of energy markets.
Spotlight turns to gas in EU energy battle
The battle over energy liberalisation shifted to the gas sector yesterday (19 May) when Parliament's industry committee threw its weight behind France and Germany in their bid to prevent the forced break-up of large integrated gas groups.
Liberalisation of the EU gas sector
As the EU embarks on a third wave of energy liberalisation, some voices are warning that the gas sector must be treated with extra caution as the current proposals are causing tensions with Europe's largest supplier, Russia.